French Lieutenant's Woman may be set for remake

This is an interesting development. Click on this link to read the story from the Bridport and Lyme Regis News.

I think anyone who saw the original film will know that The Cobb is not the only Lyme Regis landmark to feature prominently in the film; The Three Cups hotel also has a starring role. No doubt the makers of the new film will not be amused to find the famous inn closed and derelict.

On a more postive note, if there is a remake of French Lieutenant's Woman in Lyme Regis (Where else could it be?), then there ought to be enough tourism generated through the film to justify re-opening The Three Cups. I expect that there will be more British people taking holidays in this country in the near future than in the many years since The Three Cups was closed.

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A chance to have your say and move things forward

A meeting is to be held in Bridport to discuss the shut and dilapidating Three Cups at Lyme Regis and two other West Dorset “eyesore” pubs also owned by Palmers Group on Friday 24th April.

With the Three Cups at Lyme Regis now shut for over 20 years, (to the real distress of local residents, shopkeepers, tourists and Town Council); the Old Swan at Toller Porcorum shut and dilapidating for over 10 years (despite the villagers’ burning desire to have their village pub open); and the White Hart at Beaminster shut, empty and dilapidating, despite the support of the Town and District councils…….an urgent meeting has been called by a member of the public, an ex-Acting Director of the Dorset County Museum, John Grantham.

“It seems incredible that in a part of the world as beautiful as West Dorset, which we hold in trust for future generations, ‘we’ nevertheless contrive to create our own eyesores” says John Grantham. “A small group of us has therefore decided to enable the missing party in this equation – ‘The Public’ - to piece together the full position, and at last to have their say. We have therefore booked The Electric Palace at Bridport as the venue for a meeting to start at 7.15pm on Friday 24th April 2009. It is our aim that everyone who wants to say something on this issue can do so before we go home”

The crisis facing pubs generally will be examined, then the positions on the 3 eyesores and the threat of more. Representatives of each of the 3 main political parties plan to attend – to speak and be on the panel – and one or two additional speakers will be selected from several who have requested to participate, as the programme is finalised.

This first meeting will gather in the thoughts of the public and lead to a plan of action.

“Whether 5 people, 37 or over 50 people give up their evening on Friday 24th April to attend, this will be the start of a plan to clearly lay the issues on each of the 3 eyesores in front of the public, to seek the proprietor’s urgent action to resolve them. The fact that Palmers have already refused to attend the meeting will not deflect the meeting in any way from its task, and a communication will be sent to them shortly after the meeting”.

Further information on the agenda and speakers will be added at least 2-weekly to this website.

John Grantham,
15-2-09

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More Competitor Analysis

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Plough and Harrow Hotel in Birmingham where Tolkien was once a guest. Swallow Hotels have made sure that customers and potential customers are aware of this connection by naming the dining room "The Tolkien Restaurant".

There is also a blue plaque outside to commemorate Tolkien's visit.

The owners do not just rely on dinner, bed and breakfast for their trade. The hotel is advertised for civil ceremonies, wedding receptions, conferences and small business events. They also hold murder/mystery nights throughout the year. A hotel in Lyme Regis could also exploit the potential for arts events for which the town is well known and perhaps even host lectures on its literary connections for visiting tourists.

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Competitor Analysis

... is an important part of developing marketing plans. The Greene King brewery seems to be doing very well with "Old English Inns". Click on this link to have look.

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The Three Cups in The News

But not much good news I'm afraid. Click on this link to read the latest from The Bridport News.

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